PUP demands answers in Ministry of Health scandal

Posted: Monday, August 5, 2019. 3:32 pm CST.

By BBN Staff: The People’s United Party( PUP) issued a statement today demanding answers in the latest government scandal involving the unauthorized use of  National Health Insurance (NHI) monies managed by the Social Security Board (SSB).

The PUP calls on Prime Minister Dean Barrow to instruct Health Minister and Health CEO to immediately explain their actions to the nation.

“Pablo Marin and George Gough MUST explain how and why they planned to raid NHI reserves without authority. Gough, before going to the Ministry of Health as CEO, was the man in charge of those NHI reserves. Is that the connection? In the very best case, this debacle speaks of rank incompetence at the highest levels of government. But far more likely, it speaks to the greed and corruption which has characterized this UDP government under Prime Minister Dean Barrow,” the statement expressed.

SSB CEO, Dr. Colin Young said on Friday that they were never approached about the use of $1.67 Million of NHI funds by the Ministry of Health for a contract to Rolando Montero, brother of Works Minister, Rene Montero.

The PUP further says that Belizeans must understand that if a concerned person from the Ministry of Finance had not leaked the Memo authorizing the contract to a company owned by Rolando Montero, brother of UDP Minister Rene Montero, the use of the $1.67M from NHI funds, it would have been a done deal.

According to Joe Waight, Financial Secretary, the tendering process had already been done.

The Ministry of Finance had already signed off on the contract. 

The PUP calls on the Prime Minister to act decisively in clearing up this matter and letting the cards fall where they may.

 “For far too long, the people’s money has been used as the UDP’s piggy bank. We need answers NOW,”  the release ends by saying.

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